Archived Bird Notes

Summer/Early Fall 2009

There’s a new birding technique sure to add to a landlubber’s life list – taking a cruise ship from Vancouver BC to San Diego and return. I know nothing of the cost or other details. Following is a list of birds seen from cruise ships“ in Curry County” this summer, in no particular order: Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Sooty Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, Ashy Storm-petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Leach’s Storm-petrel, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Parasitic Jaegar, etc. Most of these were reported by Rich and Nanette Armstrong from July 14 and 22.

Rock Wrens were heard singing in at least five scattered locales in Curry during the summer. These were found by Don Munson at Hunter Creek, north of Vulcan Peak and near Wilson’s Prairie while Tim Rodenkirk heard one in Windy Valley and near Vulcan Lake. These, and past records of singing Rock Wrens indicate they nest sparsely in the mountains of Curry County.

On June 9 a Rose-breasted Grosbeak visited Diane Cavaness’ feeder for a day. And on the same day Tim Rodenkirk found a Great-tailed Grackle in the Floras Lake area. On June 29 Knute Andersson found one in Langlois (same bird?). On the 4^th of July Knute and Lois Miller found an Eastern Kingbird which is very late for this species.

In June and July Tim Rodenkirk and Knute Andersson observed a breeding Chipping Sparrow about 1 mile east of 101 – quite close to the coast.

In mid-June Buck Wahl spotted an Eastern Kingbird up Langlois Mountain.

July 25 - Don Munson tallied 13 Elegant Terns at Gold Beach harbor. As Don notes, this is a traditional stronghold for this species in Oregon during the month of July.

July 31 – Tim Rodenkirk found a Semi-palmated Sandpiper in the Floras Lake area. The same day he saw his first migrating Western Sandpipers of the season.

August 8 – Mark Stevens found a Horned Puffin at Harris Beach.

August 10 – Terry Wahl spotted a Long-billed Curlew on the family ranch in the Elk River estuary. It’s always a thrill to see one on the west side.

August 21 – Knute Andersson observed 26 Purple Martins staging at his place north of the Cape Blanco airport. On the same day Terry Wahl observed a Lark Sparrow on the Wahl Ranch.

August 22 & 27 – A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was observed in the Floras Lake area by Tim, Knute, Lois, Russ Namitz and Jim Danzenbaker.

August 23 – The same crew of ruffians found a Baird’s Sandpiper in the Floras Lake area.

August 31 – Lois & Knute found a White-winged Dove in Port Orford

September 13 – Lois & Knute found a flock of 24 American pipits in the Floras Lake area.

September 21-25 – Carrie and I heard, from our bed in the garden, many White-fronted Geese flying south during the middle of the night

September 23 – Two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were spotted by Dave Pitkin on Rick McKenzie’s ranch near Floras Lake. I believe this is only the second record for this rare visitor from Asia in Curry County!

September 25 – Lois & Knute found a Tropical Kingbird on Cape Blanco.

October 4 – Carrie and I stopped at the new Arizona Beach State Park across from Lizard Gulch and found it to provide excellent habitat for many species. Noteworthy was a flock of 30 American Pipits.

October 17 – Don Munson found a Clay-colored Sparrow in the Brookings harbor. The next day Knute found one at his place in the north county. He also reported the Aleutian Canada Geese are streaming down the South Coast.